Hays, TX vs Oakwood, TX

The cost of living difference between Hays, TX and Oakwood, TX is dramatic. Oakwood is 80.5% cheaper than Hays, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hays has a cost index of 127 while Oakwood sits at 70, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hays is $2,150/month compared to $945/month in Oakwood — a 128% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakwood is more affordable at $102,000 median vs $330,400.

Median household income in Hays is $89,750 compared to $65,714 in Oakwood (+36.6%). Hays does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hays spend roughly 28.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Oakwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (68.4°F vs 66.7°F). Oakwood receives more rainfall at 43.7" per year compared to 35.6" in Hays.